The local Rotary Club is looking to help improve child care technology in the region.

The Northern Lights Health Foundation announced Tuesday they received a $143,500 donation from the Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation.

Executive Director for the Health Foundation, Cindy Amerongen says the money will help replace 11 infant units currently in use on the maternal-child ward.

“This is a very costly replacement valued at approximately $400,000 and is taken with great care and selection of the best technology available.”

Amerongen adds this shows how important the Rotary Fire Relief funding is to enable the full replacement and get these new warmers onto the ward.

“Beyond the regular care of newborns, the department often needs to stabilize infants who must be transferred to other hospitals,” she said. “Infants who are returning home from those specialized care institutions may also need transition time back in the infant warmer prior to heading home.”

The donation comes from the Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund which came from Rotarians around the world during and after the 2016 wildfire.

It also comes a week after the hospital received a $100,000 donation from Pembina Pipeline Corporation, also going toward infant care.

Manager of Maternity and Pediatrics Juanita Pilgrim says upgrades to the equipment means providing care for babies who are born as early as 35 weeks gestation and may require extra supports such as breathing.

“The new standard for infant care is the Panda iRes Baby Warmer units,” Pilgrim said. “All newborns are placed in the unit for weighing, monitoring and medical interventions and for additional support; the units provide technology to ensure local level 1 special care for pre-term infants.”

Local Rotary President Julian Buski says they’re delighted to allocate donations to projects that have a lasting impact on health and wellbeing of everyone in the region.